CN218213573U

CN218213573U - Active optical cable

Info

Publication number: CN218213573U
Application number: CN202222731568.3U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 姬景奇; 周贤; 陈鹏; 鲁长武; 王超
Original assignee: Innolight Technology Suzhou Ltd
Current assignee: Innolight Technology Suzhou Ltd
Priority date: 2022-10-17
Filing date: 2022-10-17
Publication date: 2023-01-03
Anticipated expiration: 2032-10-17
Also published as: WO2024082810A1

Abstract

The application discloses an active optical cable. The active optical cable includes an optical cable assembly and an optical module. The optical cable assembly comprises a first inserting core, the optical module comprises a second inserting core, and the first inserting core and the second inserting core are butted in the inserting cavity of the adapter so as to realize optical signal interaction between the optical cable assembly and the optical module. And the adapter also has a first adjusting structure, and the shell also has a second adjusting structure, wherein the first adjusting structure and the second adjusting structure are used for matching and adjusting the position of the adapter in the installation cavity so as to adjust the bending condition of the connecting optical fiber. In other words, the optical signal transmission device allows the connecting optical fiber to be adjusted to a loose state by adjusting the position of the adapter, and avoids the phenomenon that the bending radius of the connecting optical fiber is too small due to the fact that the connecting optical fiber is excessively bent, so that the transmission effect of optical signals can be guaranteed.

Description

Active optical cable

Technical Field

The application relates to the technical field of optical communication equipment, in particular to an active optical cable.

Background

The AOC (Active Optical Cables) includes an Optical cable and Optical modules at both ends thereof, and the Optical modules can provide a photoelectric conversion function and realize an Optical signal transmission function through the Optical cable, and are mainly applied to high-speed interconnection between data centers, memories and other devices.

The insertion core of the optical cable part in the AOC product needs to be in butt joint with the insertion core of the optical module in the optical module at the end part, so that optical signal interaction between the optical cable and the optical module is realized. In the optical module, the ferrule is optically connected to the circuit board through an optical fiber. At present, due to unreasonable design, the AOC products on the market are easy to excessively bend optical fibers connecting the inserting cores and the circuit board to influence the transmission of optical signals.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The application provides an active optical cable, can guarantee optical signal's transmission effect.

The present application provides an active optical cable. The active optical cable includes: an optical cable assembly including an optical cable and a first ferrule optically connected to the optical cable; the optical module comprises a shell, a circuit board and an optical assembly, wherein the shell is internally provided with an installation cavity, the optical assembly is arranged in the installation cavity, the optical assembly comprises a second inserting core, a connecting optical fiber and an optical-electrical module, the optical-electrical module is electrically connected with the circuit board, and the second inserting core is in optical communication with the optical-electrical module through the connecting optical fiber; the adapter is arranged in the installation cavity, an insertion cavity is formed inside the adapter, and the first insertion core and the second insertion core are in butt joint in the insertion cavity; wherein, the optical cable at least partially stretches out outside the casing, and the adapter still has first regulation structure, and the casing still has the second regulation structure, and first regulation structure and second regulation structure are used for cooperating the position of adjusting the adapter in the installation cavity to adjust the crooked condition of connecting optic fibre.

In an embodiment of the application, the optical module has a first direction, and the first ferrule and the second ferrule are oppositely arranged along the first direction; one of the first adjusting structure and the second adjusting structure is a protrusion, the other one is a sliding groove, the sliding groove extends along the first direction, the protrusion is embedded into the sliding groove, the projection is configured to be movable along the slide groove to adjust a position of the adapter in the mounting cavity and to be fixed in the slide groove after adjusting the position of the adapter.

In an embodiment of the application, the housing comprises a first housing and a second housing, the first housing and the second housing are butted to form a mounting cavity, and after the position of the adapter is adjusted, the first housing and the second housing are respectively matched with and clamp the adapter from two opposite sides of the adapter.

In an embodiment of the application, the optical module has a first direction, a second direction and a third direction which are mutually perpendicular in pairs, the first ferrule and the second ferrule are oppositely arranged along the first direction, and the adapter is embedded into the installation cavity along the second direction; the end of the adapter near the first ferrule has: and the first claw assembly comprises a first claw and a second claw which are spaced from each other along the third direction, the first ferrule is inserted into the plugging cavity from a gap between the first claw and the second claw, and the first claw and the second claw are used for matching to enable the first ferrule to have the tendency of moving towards the second ferrule.

In an embodiment of the present application, the adapter further comprises an adapter body; the first clamping jaw and the second clamping jaw respectively comprise a connecting part, a bent connecting part and an abutting part, and the connecting part is connected with the adapter main body and is also connected with the abutting part through the bent connecting part; the crooked linking portion is from the crooked butt portion that extends to of connecting portion for the crooked linking portion of first jack catch and the crooked linking portion of second jack catch can take place elastic deformation and keep away from each other, so as to allow first lock pin to pass through the clearance between first jack catch and the second jack catch, and butt portion is used for the surface that first lock pin deviates from the second lock pin of butt behind first lock pin insertion grafting chamber, makes first lock pin have the trend towards the removal of second lock pin.

In an embodiment of the present application, surfaces of the abutting portions of the first and second claws, which are close to each other, are both guide planes extending in the first direction.

In one embodiment of the present application, the curved engagement portions extend outwardly in a curved manner relative to the connecting portions.

In an embodiment of the present application, the adaptor further includes a first limiting portion and a second limiting portion spaced from each other along the second direction, and the first limiting portion and the second limiting portion both extend from the adaptor body toward the abutting portion for cooperatively limiting the position of the first ferrule in the second direction; and the first clamping jaw and the second clamping jaw also comprise third limiting parts, the third limiting parts are convexly arranged on the surface of the connecting part facing the splicing cavity, and the third limiting parts are used for limiting the position of the first inserting core in the third direction.

In an embodiment of the present application, the optical module has a second direction, and the adapter is embedded in the mounting cavity along the second direction; the end of the adapter near the second ferrule has: and the second claw assembly comprises a third claw and a fourth claw which are spaced from each other along the second direction, the second ferrule is inserted into the plugging cavity from a gap between the third claw and the fourth claw, and the third claw and the fourth claw are used for matching to enable the second ferrule to have the tendency of moving towards the first ferrule.

In an embodiment of the application, the optical module further has a first direction and a third direction, the first ferrule and the second ferrule are oppositely arranged along the first direction, and the first direction, the second direction and the third direction are mutually perpendicular in pairs; the adapter still includes the adapter main part, and first cell body and second cell body have been seted up to the lateral wall of adapter main part in the third direction, and first cell body and second cell body are spaced each other along the second direction, and first cell body and second cell body all extend and the both tip towards third jack catch and fourth jack catch is the opening along the first direction.

In an embodiment of the application, the optical module has a first direction, and the first ferrule and the second ferrule are oppositely arranged along the first direction; the adapter further has: the first claw assembly is arranged at the end part of the adapter close to the first ferrule and is provided with a first abutting surface for abutting against the first ferrule; the second claw assembly is arranged at the end part of the adapter close to the second ferrule and is provided with a second abutting surface for abutting against the second ferrule; when the first ferrule and the second ferrule are not inserted into the plugging cavity, an initial distance exists between the first abutting surface and the second abutting surface in the first direction, and the initial distance is smaller than the sum of the lengths of the first ferrule and the second ferrule in the first direction.

In one embodiment of the application, the first jaw assembly and/or the second jaw assembly is/are provided with a viewing hole so as to measure the initial distance through the viewing hole.

The beneficial effect of this application is: unlike the prior art, the present application provides an active optical cable. The active optical cable includes an optical cable assembly and an optical module. The optical cable assembly comprises a first inserting core, the optical module comprises a second inserting core, and the first inserting core and the second inserting core are butted in the inserting cavity of the adapter so as to realize optical signal interaction between the optical cable assembly and the optical module.

And the adapter also has a first adjusting structure, the shell also has a second adjusting structure, and the first adjusting structure and the second adjusting structure are used for matching and adjusting the position of the adapter in the installation cavity so as to adjust the bending condition of the connecting optical fiber. In other words, the optical signal transmission device allows the connecting optical fiber to be adjusted to a loose state by adjusting the position of the adapter, and avoids the phenomenon that the bending radius of the connecting optical fiber is too small due to the fact that the connecting optical fiber is excessively bent, so that the transmission effect of optical signals can be guaranteed.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings needed to be used in the description of the embodiments are briefly introduced below, and it is obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and it is obvious for those skilled in the art to obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative efforts.

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of an active optical cable of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a portion of the active optical cable of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an adapter of the present application for use with an active optical cable;

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of the housing of the present application;

fig. 5 is a schematic top view of the adapter of fig. 3.

Description of reference numerals:

10 an optical cable assembly; 11 a first ferrule; 12 an optical cable; 20 an optical module; 21 a housing; 211 installing a cavity; 212 a second adjustment structure; 213 a first housing; 214 a second housing; 22 an optical component; 221 a second ferrule; 222 connecting the optical fibers; 223 a circuit board; 30 an adapter; 31 an insertion cavity; 32 a first adjustment structure; 33a first jaw assembly; 331 a first jaw; 332 a second jaw; 333a, 333b connection; 334a, 334b bend the engagement portion; 335a, 335 b; 336a, 336b guide the plane; 337a, 337b third limit parts; 338 a first abutment surface; 34 an adapter body; 341 a first tank body; 342 a second trough body; 351 a first limit part; 352 a second limiting part; 36a second jaw assembly; 361 a third jaw; 362 fourth jaw; 363a, 363b guide ramps; 364 second abutment surface; 371 first elastic part; 372 a second elastic part; 38 viewing aperture.

Detailed Description

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, and not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments given herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present application. Furthermore, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration and explanation only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. In the present application, unless otherwise specified, the use of directional terms such as "upper", "lower", "left" and "right" generally refer to upper, lower, left and right in the actual use or operation of the device, and specifically to the orientation of the drawing figures.

The present application provides an active optical cable, and an adapter and an optical module applied thereto, which will be described in detail below. It should be noted that the following description of the embodiments is not intended to limit the preferred order of the embodiments of the present application. In the following embodiments, the descriptions of the respective embodiments have respective emphasis, and reference may be made to related descriptions of other embodiments for parts that are not described in detail in a certain embodiment.

In order to solve the technical problem that optical signal transmission is affected by excessive bending of a connection inserting core in an AOC optical module in the prior art and the connection optical fiber, an embodiment of the application provides an active optical cable. The active optical cable includes a cable assembly including a first ferrule. The active optical cable further comprises an optical module, the optical module comprises a shell and an optical assembly, an installation cavity is formed in the shell, the optical assembly is arranged in the installation cavity and comprises a second inserting core, a connecting optical fiber and a circuit board, and the second inserting core is in optical communication with the circuit board through the connecting optical fiber. The active optical cable further comprises an adapter, the adapter is arranged in the installation cavity, the insertion cavity is formed in the adapter, and the first insertion core and the second insertion core are in butt joint in the insertion cavity. The adapter further comprises a first adjusting structure, the shell further comprises a second adjusting structure, and the first adjusting structure and the second adjusting structure are used for adjusting the position of the adapter in the installation cavity in a matched mode so as to adjust the bending condition of the connecting optical fiber. As described in detail below.

Referring to fig. 1 and fig. 2, fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of an active optical cable according to the present application, and fig. 2 is a schematic partial structural diagram of the active optical cable shown in fig. 1. In fig. 2, a part of the housing 21 of the optical module 20 is omitted.

In an embodiment, the active optical cable may be an optical communication device such as an AOC. The active optical cable includes an optical cable assembly 10 and an optical module 20. The optical module 20 is located at an end of the optical cable assembly 10, and the optical module 20 provides a photoelectric conversion function, and is capable of converting an optical signal transmitted by the optical cable assembly 10 into an electrical signal or converting the electrical signal into an optical signal and transmitting the optical signal by the optical cable assembly 10.

The optical cable assembly 10 comprises an optical cable 12 and a first insertion core 11 optically connected with the optical cable 12, the optical module 20 comprises a second insertion core 221, and the first insertion core 11 and the second insertion core 221 are butted in the optical module 20, so that the optical cable assembly 10 is in optical communication with the optical module 20, and further optical signal interaction between the optical cable assembly 10 and the optical module 20 is realized. Wherein optical communication between two elements is to be understood as a transmission path between the two elements capable of establishing an optical signal. Note that for the example where the active optical cable is an AOC, the first ferrule 11 and the second ferrule 221 are corresponding MT ferrules.

Specifically, the optical module 20 includes a housing 21, a circuit board 223, and an optical component 22. The housing 21 is a basic carrier of the optical module 20, and plays a role in carrying and protecting other components of the optical module 20, wherein the housing 21 has a mounting cavity 211 therein, and at least a portion of the optical cable 12 extends out of the housing 21. An optical assembly 22 is disposed in the mounting cavity 211, and the optical assembly 22 is used for converting an optical signal transmitted by the optical cable assembly 10 into an electrical signal or converting an electrical signal into an optical signal and transmitting the optical signal to the optical cable assembly 10. The optical assembly 22 includes a second ferrule 221, a connecting fiber 222, and an optoelectronic module electrically connected to the circuit board 223, the second ferrule 221 being in optical communication with the optoelectronic module through the connecting fiber 222. The first ferrule 11 and the second ferrule 221 are in optical communication after being butted, and an optical signal transmitted by the optical cable assembly 10 is transmitted to the circuit board 223 through the first ferrule 11 and the second ferrule 221 to be converted into an electrical signal, or the electrical signal of the circuit board 223 is converted into an optical signal and then transmitted to the optical cable assembly 10 through the first ferrule 11 and the second ferrule 221. The optoelectronic module may include an optical transceiver and the like.

The active optical cable also includes an adapter 30. The adapter 30 is provided in the mounting cavity 211, and the inside of the adapter 30 has a plug cavity 31, and the first ferrule 11 and the second ferrule 221 are butted in the plug cavity 31. The adapter 30 is used to enable reliable interfacing between the first ferrule 11 and the second ferrule 221 to ensure stability of the optical path between the first ferrule 11 and the second ferrule 221.

Please refer to fig. 3 and fig. 4 together, the adaptor 30 of the present embodiment further has a first adjusting structure 32, the housing 21 further has a second adjusting structure 212, and the first adjusting structure 32 and the second adjusting structure 212 are used for adjusting the position of the adaptor 30 in the mounting cavity 211 in a matching manner to adjust the bending condition of the connecting optical fiber 222. In other words, the present embodiment allows the connection fiber 222 to be adjusted to a looser state by adjusting the position of the adapter 30, so as to avoid the connection fiber 222 from being bent excessively to cause an excessively small bending radius of the connection fiber 222, and thus, the transmission effect of the optical signal can be ensured. Wherein if the bending radius of the connecting fiber 222 is too small, the optical signal transmission effect of the connecting fiber 222 will be adversely affected.

Further, the optical module 20 has a first direction (as indicated by arrow X in fig. 2 and 3, the same applies below) along which the first ferrule 11 and the second ferrule 221 are disposed opposite to each other, and the first direction is also a direction in which the first ferrule 11 and the second ferrule 221 are inserted into the plug cavity 31. One of the first and

second adjustment structures

32 and 212 is a protrusion and the other is a slot. The slide groove extends in the first direction, and the projection is fitted into the slide groove, and the projection is configured to be movable along the slide groove to adjust the position of the adapter 30 in the mounting cavity 211 and to be fixed in the slide groove after adjusting the position of the adapter 30.

For example, the first adjustment structure 32 of the adapter 30 is embodied as a protrusion protruding from the outer sidewall of the adapter 30. Wherein the number of the protrusions may be one or two or more, fig. 3 shows a case where the protrusions are two, and the two protrusions are spaced apart from each other along the first direction. The projection is located at the bottom of the adapter 30. As shown in fig. 4, the second adjustment structure 212 of the housing 21 is embodied as a slide groove. The inner wall of the housing 21 of the optical module 20 is recessed to form a sliding slot, and the sliding slot is located at the bottom of the housing 21. The protrusion on the adapter 30 is inserted into and movable along the slide slot, i.e., the adapter 30 is movable in the first direction to adjust the position of the adapter 30 in the first direction, and thus the bend of the connecting fiber 222.

And, the housing 21 includes a first housing 213 and a second housing 214, the first housing 213 and the second housing 214 are butted to form the mounting cavity 211, and after adjusting the position of the adapter 30, the first housing 213 and the second housing 214 respectively fit the clamping adapter 30 from opposite sides of the adapter 30, that is, fix the adjusted position of the adapter 30.

Of course, in other embodiments of the present application, the first adjusting structure 32 may be a sliding slot, and the second adjusting structure 212 may be a protrusion, which is not limited herein.

The adapter 30 of the present embodiment is explained below.

In one embodiment, the optical module 20 has a first direction, a second direction (as indicated by an arrow Z in fig. 2 and 3, the same below) and a third direction (as indicated by an arrow Y in fig. 3, the same below) which are two by two perpendicular to each other. Adapter 30 is inserted into mounting cavity 211 in a second orientation. Specifically, in the case where the first adjustment structure 32 is located at the bottom of the adapter 30 and the second adjustment structure 212 is located at the bottom of the housing 21, the second direction is the height direction of the optical module 20. After the first ferrule 11 and the second ferrule 221 are both inserted into the plugging chamber 31, the adapter 30 is inserted into the mounting chamber 211 in the second direction, so that the first adjustment structure 32 and the second adjustment structure 212 are fittingly connected. Correspondingly, the first direction is the longitudinal direction of the optical module 20, and the third direction is the width direction of the optical module 20.

Referring to fig. 5, fig. 5 is a schematic top view of the adapter shown in fig. 3.

In one embodiment, the adapter 30 has a first jaw assembly 33, the first jaw assembly 33 being located at an end of the adapter 30 proximate the first ferrule 11. The first jaw assembly 33 has a first abutment surface 338 for abutting the first ferrule 11, and the first jaw assembly 33 abuts the first ferrule 11 through the first abutment surface 338 so that the first ferrule 11 has a tendency to move toward the second ferrule 221, thereby enabling the first ferrule 11 and the second ferrule 221 to be tightly abutted.

Specifically, the first jaw assembly 33 includes a first jaw 331 and a second jaw 332 spaced apart from each other in a third direction. The first ferrule 11 is inserted into the plug cavity 31 from the gap between the first and

second claws

331 and 332, and the first and

second claws

331 and 332 are adapted to cooperate such that the first ferrule 11 has a tendency to move toward the second ferrule 221.

Further, the adaptor 30 further includes an adaptor body 34, and the adaptor body 34 encloses the plug cavity 31. The first pawl 331 includes a connecting portion 333a, a bent engaging portion 334a, and an abutting portion 335a, the connecting portion 333a connects to the adapter body 34 and also connects to the abutting portion 335a through the bent engaging portion 334a, the bent engaging portion 334a extends from the connecting portion 333a to the abutting portion 335a in a bent manner, and the bent engaging portion 334a has an elastic deformation ability. The second pawl 332 includes a connecting portion 333b, a bent engaging portion 334b, and an abutting portion 335b, the connecting portion 333b connects to the adapter body 34 and also connects to the abutting portion 335b through the bent engaging portion 334b, the bent engaging portion 334b extends from the connecting portion 333b to the abutting portion 335b, and the bent engaging portion 334b has an elastic deformation ability. Here, the end surface of the abutting portion 335a of the first claw 331 facing the second ferrule 221 and the end surface of the abutting portion 335b of the second claw 332 facing the second ferrule 221 are first abutting surfaces 338.

The

curved engagement portions

334a and 334b of the first and

second claws

331 and 332 can be elastically deformed away from each other to allow the first ferrule 11 to pass through the gap between the first and

second claws

331 and 332, and the

abutment portions

335a and 335b of the first and

second claws

331 and 332 are each configured to abut against a surface of the first ferrule 11 facing away from the second ferrule 221 after the first ferrule 11 is inserted into the plug cavity 31, so that the first ferrule 11 has a tendency to move toward the second ferrule 221.

Alternatively, the bent coupling part 334a of the first jaw 331 is bent outwardly to extend with respect to the coupling part 333 a. Specifically, the curved engaging portions 334a of the first claws 331 are curved and extended in the third direction toward the outside of the adapter 30, so that the first claws 331 as a whole take the shape of a hook, thereby allowing the first claws 331 to have good elastic deformability. The first claw 331 is easily deformed in response to the insertion of the first ferrule 11 into the plug cavity 31, so as to absorb interference of the fit between the first claw 331 and the first ferrule 11, thereby facilitating smooth insertion of the first ferrule 11 into the plug cavity 31. Similarly, the bent engaging portion 334b of the second jaw 332 is bent to extend outwardly with respect to the connecting portion 333 b. Specifically, the curved engaging portions 334b of the second claws 332 extend curvedly in the third direction toward the outside of the adapter 30, so that the second claws 332 integrally assume the shape of a hook, thereby allowing the second claws 332 to have good elastic deformability. The second claws 332 are easily deformed in response to the insertion of the first ferrule 11 into the plug cavity 31 to absorb interference of the fit between the second claws 332 and the first ferrule 11, which facilitates smooth insertion of the first ferrule 11 into the plug cavity 31.

In one embodiment, the surfaces of the abutting

portions

335a and 335b of the first and

second claws

331 and 332 that are close to each other are guide planes extending in the first direction. Specifically, the surface of the abutment portion 335a of the first pawl 331 facing the abutment portion 335b of the second pawl 332 is a guide plane 336a, and the surface of the abutment portion 335b of the second pawl 332 facing the abutment portion 335a of the first pawl 331 is a guide plane 336b.

The first ferrule 11 is inserted into the plug cavity 31 from the gap between the first claws 331 and the second claws 332, specifically, the first ferrule 11 is inserted into the plug cavity 31 from the gap between the abutting

portions

335a and 335b of the first and

second claws

331 and 332. During the passage of the first ferrule 11 through the gap, both sides of the first ferrule 11 in the third direction may contact the guide flat surface 336a and the guide flat surface 336b, respectively. Since the

guide planes

336a and 336b each extend in the first direction, i.e., the extending directions of the

guide planes

336a and 336b are parallel to the direction in which the first ferrule 11 is inserted into the plug cavity 31, the

guide planes

336a and 336b can guide the first ferrule 11 through the gap between the first and

second claws

331 and 332, so that the first ferrule 11 can be smoothly inserted into the plug cavity 31.

It should be noted that, the guiding

planes

336a and 336b extend along the first direction, which means that the guiding

planes

336a and 336b have a sufficient length in the first direction to ensure that the guiding

planes

336a and 336b have a good guiding effect. Further, the

guide planes

336a and 336b have a large contact area with the first ferrule 11, and the first claws 331 and the second claws 332 can be prevented from clamping the first ferrule 11.

In an embodiment, the

abutment portions

335a and 335b of the first and

second pawls

331 and 332 are configured to cooperate such that the first ferrule 11 has a tendency to move toward the second ferrule 221 to cooperate with the second ferrule 221 to limit the position of the first ferrule 11 in the first direction, thereby facilitating stabilization of the position of the first ferrule 11 in the plug cavity 31.

The adapter 30 further includes a first stopper portion 351 and a second stopper portion 352 spaced apart from each other in the second direction. The first stopper 351 and the second stopper 352 each extend from the adapter body 34 toward the abutment portions 335 of the first claws 331 and the second claws 332, and are configured to fit and restrict the position of the first ferrule 11 in the second direction. After the first ferrule 11 is inserted into the plugging chamber 31, the first limiting portion 351 and the second limiting portion 352 can abut against two side surfaces of the first ferrule 11 in the second direction respectively, so as to cooperate to limit the position of the first ferrule 11 in the second direction, thereby being beneficial to stabilizing the position of the first ferrule 11 in the plugging chamber 31.

The first claw 331 further includes a third limiting portion 337a, the third limiting portion 337a is convexly disposed on a surface of the connecting portion 333a facing the plugging cavity 31, and the third limiting portion 337a is used for limiting a position of the first ferrule 11 in a third direction. Similarly, the second latch 332 further includes a third limiting portion 337b, the third limiting portion 337b is convexly disposed on the surface of the connecting portion 333b facing the plugging cavity 31, and the third limiting portion 337a is used for limiting the position of the first ferrule 11 in the third direction. In other words, after the first ferrule 11 is inserted into the plugging cavity 31, the third limiting portion 337a and the third limiting portion 337b can abut against both side surfaces of the first ferrule 11 in the third direction, respectively, so as to cooperatively limit the position of the first ferrule 11 in the third direction, thereby facilitating to stabilize the position of the first ferrule 11 in the plugging cavity 31.

In one embodiment, the adapter 30 also has a second jaw assembly 36, the second jaw assembly 36 being located at an end of the adapter 30 proximate the second ferrule 221. The second jaw assembly 36 has a second abutting surface 364 for abutting the second ferrule 221, and the second jaw assembly 36 abuts the second ferrule 221 through the second abutting surface 364, so that the second ferrule 221 has a tendency to move toward the first ferrule 11, thereby tightly abutting the first ferrule 11 and the second ferrule 221.

Specifically, second jaw assembly 36 includes a third jaw 361 and a fourth jaw 362 spaced from each other along the second direction. The second ferrule 221 is inserted into the plug cavity 31 from the gap between the third and

fourth jaws

361 and 362, the third and

fourth jaws

361 and 362 being adapted to cooperate such that the second ferrule 221 has a tendency to move towards the first ferrule 11.

Further, second jaw assembly 36 also includes a first resilient portion 371 and a second resilient portion 372. The first elastic portion 371 extends in a direction away from the adapter body 34 to connect with the third claw 361. The second resilient portion 372 extends in a direction away from the adapter body 34 to connect with the fourth pawl 362.

Each of the first elastic portion 371 and the second elastic portion 372 is elastically deformable so that end portions thereof distant from the adapter body 34 are distant from each other, i.e., a gap between the third claw 361 and the fourth claw 362 is increased to allow the second ferrule 221 to pass through the gap between the third claw 361 and the fourth claw 362. After the second ferrule 221 is inserted into the plugging chamber 31, the first elastic portion 371 and the second elastic portion 372 can also respond to respective elastic restoring forces, so that the ends of the first elastic portion 371 and the second elastic portion 372, which are away from the adapter body 34, have a tendency to approach each other, and further so that the third pawl 361 and the fourth pawl 362 cooperate so that the second ferrule 221 has a tendency to move toward the first ferrule 11.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, by reasonably selecting the material of the adapter 30, the first claw 331 and the second claw 332 of the adapter 30 have good elastic deformation capability, and the first elastic portion 371 and the second elastic portion 372 also have good elastic deformation capability. Moreover, the strength and fatigue resistance of the adapter 30 can meet the product requirements.

Further, a third jaw 361 and a fourth jaw 362 are protruded to the inner wall of the adapter 30. The third claw 361 is located at an end of the first elastic portion 371 away from the adapter body 34, and the third claw 361 protrudes toward the second elastic portion 372 relative to the first elastic portion 371, and the third claw 361 as a whole takes a shape of a barb. Similarly, the fourth pawl 362 is located at the end of the second resilient portion 372 away from the adapter body 34, and the fourth claws 362 project toward the first elastic parts 371 with respect to the second elastic parts 372, the fourth claws 362 integrally assume a barb shape.

The side of the third jaw 361 facing the circuit board 223 has a guide slope 363a for guiding the second ferrule 221 through a gap between the third jaw 361 and the fourth jaw 362. The guide slope 363a extends toward the first jaw assembly 33 and the second elastic portion 372. Similarly, the fourth jaw 362 has a guide slope 363b on a side facing the circuit board 223 for guiding the second ferrule 221 through a gap between the third jaw 361 and the fourth jaw 362. The guide slope 363b extends toward the first jaw assembly 33 and the first elastic portion 371. In other words, in the present embodiment, during the insertion of the second ferrule 221 into the plug cavity 31, the second ferrule 221 is guided by the guide slope 363a on the third jaw 361 and the guide slope 363b on the fourth jaw 362 through the gap between the third jaw 361 and the fourth jaw 362, so that the second ferrule 221 can be smoothly inserted into the plug cavity 31.

It should be noted that, since the rear end of the second ferrule 221 is connected with the connection fiber 222, and the first ferrule 11 and the second ferrule 221 are also butted together, the butting precision often needs to be ensured by a pin. In the manner that the second ferrule 221 is inserted into the plug cavity 31 from the gap between the third jaw 361 and the fourth jaw 362, the third jaw 361 and the fourth jaw 362 can avoid the support structure of the connection fiber 222, the pin or the pin kit, and at the same time, the adapter 30 is allowed to be provided with the third jaw 361 and the fourth jaw 362 near the end of the second ferrule 221, and the third jaw 361 and the fourth jaw 362 can reliably keep the first ferrule 11 and the second ferrule 221 in a tight butt joint. The adapter 30 of the present embodiment can realize the tight butt joint of the first ferrule 11 and the second ferrule 221 by itself without using other structures.

In an embodiment, the adaptor 30 enables the first ferrule 11 and the second ferrule 221 to be tightly butted by the first jaw assembly 33 and the second jaw assembly 36 thereon, which means that the first jaw assembly 33 and the second jaw assembly 36 can cooperate to limit the position of the first ferrule 11 and the second ferrule 221 in the first direction since the position of the adaptor 30 in the optical module 20 is fixed after adjusting the bending condition of the connecting fiber 222. Also, the first elastic portion 371 and the second elastic portion 372 of the adapter 30 each abut against the second ferrule 221 to restrict the position of the second ferrule 221 in the second direction. Further, both side inner walls of the adapter body 34 in the third direction also abut against the second ferrule 221 to restrict the position of the second ferrule 221 in the third direction.

In an embodiment, a side wall of the adapter main body 34 in the third direction is opened with a first groove 341 and a second groove 342, the first groove 341 and the second groove 342 are spaced from each other along the second direction, the first groove 341 and the second groove 342 both extend along the first direction, and both ends of the first groove 341 and the second groove are opened toward the third jaw 361 and the fourth jaw 362.

The first groove 341 extends toward the third jaw 361 along the first direction, an end portion of the first groove 341 facing the third jaw 361 penetrates through the adaptor body 34 to form an opening, and an end portion of the first groove 341 facing away from the third jaw 361 is closed. Similarly, the second slot 342 extends toward the fourth jaw 362 along the first direction, the end of the second slot 342 facing the fourth jaw 362 penetrates through the adapter main body 34 to form an opening, and the end of the second slot 342 facing away from the fourth jaw 362 is closed. Further, the adapter main body 34 has a first groove 341 and a second groove 342 opened on both sidewalls in the third direction.

On the one hand, in the manufacturing process of the adapter 30 of the present embodiment, the configuration of the internal cavity of the adapter 30 needs to be formed by means of a mold. In the present embodiment, the first groove 341 and the second groove 342 are disposed in the second direction, so that the molds can be designed into three pieces stacked in the second direction, the upper and lower molds are ejected in the third direction through the first groove 341 and the second groove 342, respectively, and the middle mold is ejected in the first direction through the gap between the third jaw 361 and the fourth jaw 362, that is, the present embodiment can facilitate the mold ejection after the formation of the adapter 30.

On the other hand, the first groove 341 on both sides of the adapter body 34 makes the part of the adapter body 34 connected with the first elastic part 371 and the first elastic part 371 form a cantilever connected with the third jaw 361, and the cantilever has a larger arm length, so that the third jaw 361 is easy to open for inserting the second ferrule 221 into the plugging chamber 31. Similarly, the portion of the adapter body 34 connected to the second elastic portion 372 and the second elastic portion 372 form a cantilever connected to the fourth latch 362 together through the second groove 342 on both sides of the adapter body 34, and the cantilever has a larger arm length, so that the fourth latch 362 is easily opened to facilitate the insertion of the second ferrule 221 into the insertion cavity 31.

In an embodiment, when neither the first ferrule 11 nor the second ferrule 221 is inserted into the plugging chamber 31, the first abutment surface 338 of the first jaw assembly 33 and the second abutment surface 364 of the second jaw assembly 36 have an initial distance therebetween in the first direction (as shown in D in fig. 5, the same applies below), which is smaller than the sum of the lengths of the first ferrule 11 and the second ferrule 221 in the first direction.

In other words, after the first ferrule 11 and the second ferrule 221 are mated, the initial distance is less than the sum of the lengths of the first ferrule 11 and the second ferrule 221 in the first direction. The interference fit between the first jaw assembly 33 and the second jaw assembly 36 and the first ferrule 11 and the second ferrule 221 in the present embodiment makes the first ferrule 11 and the second ferrule 221 reliably tightly fit in the adapter 30.

Further, since the sum of the lengths of the first ferrule 11 and the second ferrule 221 in the first direction is determined, by reasonably setting the initial distance between the first abutting surface 338 and the second abutting surface 364 in the first direction, the interference magnitude can be reasonably set, so that the clamping force of the first jaw assembly 33 and the second jaw assembly 36 for clamping the first ferrule 11 and the second ferrule 221 is required.

In view of the above, the first jaw assembly 33 and/or the second jaw assembly 36 of the present embodiment are provided with a viewing hole 38, so as to measure the initial distance through the viewing hole 38.

For example, the observation hole 38 is opened in the first elastic portion 371 and/or the second elastic portion 372 of the second jaw assembly 36, and the observation hole 38 abuts on and exposes the second abutting surface 364 of the second jaw assembly 36, so that the second abutting surface 364 can be observed through the observation hole 38, the initial distance between the first abutting surface 338 and the second abutting surface 364 in the first direction is further measured, and whether the interference magnitude meets the requirement is judged based on the measurement result, which is beneficial to ensuring that the clamping force of the first jaw assembly 33 and the second jaw assembly 36 for clamping the first ferrule 11 and the second ferrule 221 meets the requirement. In this embodiment, it is preferable that the observation holes 38 are formed in both the first elastic portion 371 and the second elastic portion 372, and two observation holes 38 spaced from each other in the third direction are formed in each of the first elastic portion 371 and the second elastic portion 372. Also, in other embodiments of the present application, the first jaw assembly 33 may be configured the same as the second jaw assembly 36, and in this case, the first jaw assembly 33 may also be provided with a viewing aperture 38 to facilitate measurement of the initial distance between the first and second abutment surfaces 338 and 364 in the first direction.

In one embodiment, the active optical cable includes a first ferrule 11 and an optical module 20. The optical module 20 includes a second ferrule 221. The inside of the adapter 30 applied to the active optical cable has a plugging cavity 31, the first plugging core 11 and the second plugging core 221 are butted in the plugging cavity 31, and the adapter 30 further has a first adjusting structure 32, and the first adjusting structure 32 is used for adjusting the position of the adapter 30 in the optical module 20 in cooperation with a corresponding adjusting structure in the optical module 20. The first ferrule 11, the second ferrule 221, the optical module 20, and the adapter 30 have been described in detail in the above embodiments, and are not described herein again.

In one embodiment, the active optical cable includes a first ferrule 11 and an adapter 30. The optical module 20 applied to the active optical cable includes a housing 21, and the housing 21 has a mounting cavity 211 inside. The optical module 20 further includes a second ferrule 221, the second ferrule 221 is disposed in the mounting cavity 211, and the first ferrule 11 and the second ferrule 221 are butted in the adapter 30. The housing 21 also has a second adjustment structure 212, and the second adjustment structure 212 is used for adjusting the position of the adapter 30 in the mounting cavity 211 by matching with a corresponding adjustment structure on the adapter 30. The first ferrule 11, the second ferrule 221, the optical module 20, and the adapter 30 have been described in detail in the above embodiments, and are not described herein again.

In summary, the active optical cable and the adapter and the optical module using the same provided by the present application include an optical cable assembly and an optical module. The optical cable assembly comprises a first inserting core, the optical module comprises a second inserting core, and the first inserting core and the second inserting core are butted in the inserting cavity of the adapter so as to realize optical signal interaction between the optical cable assembly and the optical module.

And the adapter also has a first adjusting structure, and the shell also has a second adjusting structure, wherein the first adjusting structure and the second adjusting structure are used for matching and adjusting the position of the adapter in the installation cavity so as to adjust the bending condition of the connecting optical fiber. In other words, the optical signal transmission device allows the connecting optical fiber to be adjusted to a loose state by adjusting the position of the adapter, and avoids the phenomenon that the bending radius of the connecting optical fiber is too small due to the fact that the connecting optical fiber is excessively bent, so that the transmission effect of optical signals can be guaranteed.

The active optical cable and the adapter and optical module applied thereto provided by the present application are introduced in detail above, and a specific example is applied in the present application to explain the principle and the implementation of the present application, and the description of the above embodiment is only used to help understand the method and the core idea of the present application; meanwhile, for a person skilled in the art, according to the idea of the present application, there may be variations in the specific embodiments and the application scope, and in summary, the content of the present specification should not be construed as a limitation to the present application.

Claims

1. An active optical cable, comprising:

an optical cable assembly including an optical cable and a first ferrule optically connected to the optical cable;

the optical module comprises a shell, a circuit board and an optical module, wherein an installation cavity is formed in the shell, the optical module is arranged in the installation cavity and comprises a second inserting core, a connecting optical fiber and an optical-electrical module, the optical-electrical module is electrically connected with the circuit board, and the second inserting core is in optical communication with the optical-electrical module through the connecting optical fiber; and

the adapter is arranged in the installation cavity, a plugging cavity is formed in the adapter, and the first inserting core and the second inserting core are butted in the plugging cavity;

wherein at least part of the optical cable extends out of the shell, the adapter further comprises a first adjusting structure, the shell further comprises a second adjusting structure, and the first adjusting structure and the second adjusting structure are used for adjusting the position of the adapter in the installation cavity in a matching mode so as to adjust the bending condition of the connecting optical fiber.

2. Active optical cable according to claim 1,

the optical module is provided with a first direction, and the first inserting core and the second inserting core are oppositely arranged along the first direction; one of the first and second adjustment structures is a protrusion, the other is a sliding slot, the sliding slot extends along the first direction, the protrusion is embedded in the sliding slot, and the protrusion is configured to be movable along the sliding slot to adjust a position of the adapter in the mounting cavity and to be fixed in the sliding slot after adjusting the position of the adapter.

3. Active optical cable according to claim 1 or 2,

the shell comprises a first shell and a second shell, the first shell and the second shell are butted to form the mounting cavity, and after the position of the adapter is adjusted, the first shell and the second shell are respectively matched and clamped with the adapter from two opposite sides of the adapter.

4. Active optical cable according to claim 1,

the optical module is provided with a first direction, a second direction and a third direction which are mutually perpendicular in pairs, the first inserting core and the second inserting core are oppositely arranged along the first direction, and the adapter is embedded into the installation cavity along the second direction;

the adapter has, proximate to an end of the first ferrule:

a first jaw assembly comprising first and second jaws spaced from each other along the third direction, the first ferrule being inserted into the plug cavity from a gap between the first and second jaws, the first and second jaws being configured to mate such that the first ferrule has a tendency to move toward the second ferrule.

5. Active optical cable according to claim 4,

the adapter further comprises an adapter body;

the first and second jaws each include a connecting portion, a curved engagement portion, and an abutment portion, the connecting portions connecting the adapter body and also connecting the abutment portions through the curved engagement portions;

the bent joint part extends to the joint part in a bent mode from the connecting part, so that the bent joint part of the first clamping jaw and the bent joint part of the second clamping jaw can be elastically deformed to be away from each other, the first inserting core is allowed to pass through a gap between the first clamping jaw and the second clamping jaw, the joint part is used for being abutted to the surface, deviating from the second inserting core, of the first inserting core after the first inserting core is inserted into the inserting cavity, and the first inserting core has the tendency of moving towards the second inserting core.

6. Active optical cable according to claim 5,

surfaces of the abutting portion of the first jaw and the abutting portion of the second jaw, which are close to each other, are guide planes extending in the first direction.

7. Active optical cable according to claim 5,

the bent engaging portion extends bent outward relative to the connecting portion.

8. Active optical cable according to claim 5,

the adapter further comprises a first limiting part and a second limiting part which are spaced from each other along the second direction, wherein the first limiting part and the second limiting part both extend from the adapter body towards the abutting part and are used for matching and limiting the position of the first inserting core in the second direction; and is

The first clamping jaw and the second clamping jaw further comprise third limiting parts, the third limiting parts are convexly arranged on the surfaces of the connecting parts facing the inserting cavity, and the third limiting parts are used for limiting the position of the first inserting core in the third direction.

9. Active optical cable according to claim 1,

the optical module is provided with a second direction, and the adapter is embedded into the mounting cavity along the second direction;

the adapter has, near an end of the second ferrule:

a second jaw assembly including third and fourth jaws spaced from each other along the second direction, the second ferrule being inserted into the plug cavity from a gap between the third and fourth jaws, the third and fourth jaws being for mating such that the second ferrule has a tendency to move toward the first ferrule.

10. Active optical cable according to claim 9,

the optical module is also provided with a first direction and a third direction, the first inserting core and the second inserting core are oppositely arranged along the first direction, and the first direction, the second direction and the third direction are mutually vertical in pairs;

the adapter still includes the adapter main part, the adapter main part is in first cell body and second cell body have been seted up to lateral wall in the third direction, first cell body with the second cell body is followed the second direction separates each other, first cell body with the second cell body all follows first direction extends and the two orientation the third jack catch with the tip of fourth jack catch is the opening.

11. Active optical cable according to claim 1,

the optical module is provided with a first direction, and the first inserting core and the second inserting core are oppositely arranged along the first direction;

the adapter further has:

the first claw assembly is arranged at the end part of the adapter close to the first ferrule and is provided with a first abutting surface for abutting against the first ferrule; and

the second claw assembly is arranged at the end part of the adapter close to the second ferrule and is provided with a second abutting surface for abutting against the second ferrule;

wherein, when neither the first ferrule nor the second ferrule is inserted into the plugging cavity, there is an initial distance between the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface in the first direction, the initial distance being smaller than the sum of the lengths of the first ferrule and the second ferrule in the first direction.

12. Active optical cable according to claim 11,

the first jaw assembly and/or the second jaw assembly is provided with a observation hole so as to measure the initial distance through the observation hole.